Damon Runyon Stakes
The Damon Runyon Stakes is an Ungraded American Thoroughbred turf race for two-year-old horses run at Aqueduct Race Track in December each year.
In its 37th running in 2015, this race is essentially restricted to New York-breds, and is set at one mile and 70 yards (8.32) and currently offers a purse of $100,000. It was run at seven furlongs from 1979 to 1982, and in 1987 and 1988, at one mile (8 furlongs) from 1983 to 1986, and from 1989 to 1993. From 1994 to 2007 its length was 8 1/2 furlongs. From 2007 to 2014 it has been run at 8.32 furlongs except in 2013 when it was once again run at 8 furlongs.
The Damon Runyon was raced at Belmont Park in 1979, 1983, and 1984.
The race is named for Damon Runyon, a famous sports reporter and short story writer who created a Broadway all his own during the Twenties and Thirties. From these stories came the musical Guys and Dolls. Runyon loved horse racing and campaigned a small string of his own horses.
Past winners
- 2014 - Good Luck Gus (Ruben Silvera)
- 2013 - Samraat
- 2012 - Smooth Bert (Michael J. Luzzi)
- 2011 - Swag Daddy (Junior Alvarado)
- 2010 - Beau de Beaupre (Alan Garcia)
- 2009 - Ibboyee (Ramon A. Dominguez)
- 2008 - Haynesfield (Ramon Dominguez)
- 2007 - Giant Moon (Ramon A. Dominguez)
- 2006 - Lawrence the Roman (Mike E. Smith)
- 2005 - Platinum Couple (Jose Espinoza)
- 2004 - Naughty New Yorker (Jean-Luc Samyn)
- 2003 - West Virginia (Richard Migliore)
- 2002 - Grey Comet (Aaron Gryder)
- 2001 - Eye Of The Comet (Robert Messina)
- 2000 - Bluesbreaker (Aaron Gryder)
- 1999 - Kirtons (Mike Luzzi)
- 1998 - Ewer All Wet (Aaron Gryder)
- 1997 - Undaunted Mettle (Jorge Chavez)
- 1996 - Regal Chant (Clovis Crane)
- 1995 - Shoopers Gold (Jose Santos)
- 1994 - Ave's Flag (John Velazquez)
- 1993 - Seminole Spirit (Mike E. Smith)
- 1992 - Over the Brink (Mike E. Smith)
- 1991 - Montreal Marty (Julie Krone)
- 1990 - Fourstars Allstar (Mike E. Smith)
- 1989 - Champagneforashley (Jacinto Vasquez)
- 1988 - Scarlet Ibis (Jacinto Vasquez)
- 1987 - Notebook (Jose Santos)
- 1986 - Sweet Envoy (Jacinto Vasquez)
- 1985 - Bullet Blade (Robbie Davis)
- 1984 - Hot Debate (Don MacBeth)
- 1983 - Donna's World (Angel Cordero Jr.)
- 1982 - Aloha Hawaii (Gregg McCarron)
- 1981 - Guilford Lad (Eddie Maple)
- 1980 - Adirondack Holme (Ruben Hernandez)
- 1979 - Restrainor (Ruben Hernandez)